Ask e-Li

The register may refuse to register any writing listed in T.C.A. § 66-24-101(a) (which includes documents relating to real property and some other documents, but not UCC records or corporate charters and certificates of limited partnership) if such writing, in the opinion of the register, is illegible or cannot be legibly reproduced, unless the person seeking to register the writing attaches to the document for recording an affidavit providing the following:

A statement that the writing is the best available original;

The type of document or instrument;

The grantor(s) and grantee(s);

The date of execution;

The name of the person or persons authenticating or acknowledging the signature of the grantor, and their title, if any;

A description of the real property, if any, being affected; and

All other information or recitals required by law for registration.

The register may also refuse to register any writing eligible to be recorded if the writing or a substantial portion of it is written in a language other than English unless the person seeking to register it attaches an affidavit which gives a complete translation of the writing into English. This affidavit must be recorded with the original writing. The original writing and the affidavit shall be treated as one instrument.